News

Yellowknife (March 14, 2013) – Following positive discussions between the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority (YHSSA) and their partner, the John Howard Society, and by agreement between these two agencies:

YELLOWKNIFE (September 19, 2012) – Minister of Health and Social Services Tom Beaulieu attended the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Partnership Ministers’ Meeting on September 14 and 15 in Saskatoon. The meeting, chaired by Saskatchewan Social Services Minister June Draude, celebrated the achievements of the Partnership and discussed its future.

YELLOWKNIFE (September 7, 2012) – September 9th, 2012 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, an opportunity for communities to support prevention and intervention of FASD.

YELLOWKNIFE (July 27, 2012) – The Departments of Health and Social Services, Public Works and Services and the Hay River Health and Social Service Authority are pleased to announce the award of the contract for the design and construction of the new Health Centre in Hay River.

YELLOWKNIFE (June 7, 2012) – Building on last month’s overwhelmingly successful release of Canada’s first-ever mental health strategy, the Mental Health Commission of Canada is in Yellowknife to launch Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada. The Strategy was shaped and informed by the experiences and input from thousands of Canadians, including considerable engagement in Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, this Assembly has a vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing in the benefits and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories. Our vision includes persons with disabilities.

June 4th to 8th is Disability Awareness Week in the Northwest Territories. Each year, Disability Awareness Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions persons with disabilities make to our communities in spite of the many challenges they may face every day. This year’s theme is Broadening our Acceptance, Through Accessibility.

Most of us take accessibility for granted. Access to a service, building or business is not something we think about; unless we don’t have access.

It also means access to medical facilities and services, churches and grocery stores.

Accessibility means people with disabilities can participate in the aspects of daily life that most of us take for granted.

It means the world to the person who needs it.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services will continue to work with the Health Authorities and stakeholders to improve the quality of life of Northerners with disabilities by providing the appropriate access to sustainable programs and services.